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End Animal Killing Contests Like the "Squirrel Slam" in Holley, NY

Did you know that the village of Holley, N.Y., is preparing for another bloodbath Feb. 22, the day it plans to host another Squirrel Slam Day.

Last year when Friends of Animals found out about this annual killing contest/shooting competition in northwestern New York that recruits children and rewards them with prizes after dead squirrels are weighed to determine who killed the heaviest ones, we mobilized supporters and took to the streets to protest the event.

What makes the day even more abhorrent is it is billed a fundraiser for a fire department and semi-automatic rifles are raffled off and cash awards are given as children look on.

Animal killing contests are part of a broader conversation on gun violence. This event comes just a little over a year after a rifle wielding Adam Lanza committed mass murder at an elementary school, and earlier this week, a 12-year-old opened fire at a middle school and an elderly man fatally shot someone because he was text messaging during a movie.

FoA continues to work with New York state Sen. Tony Avella and other legislators to prohibit killing contests in New York and will once again convene on Holley in February to expose the pattern of abuse rampant in Holley.

1. Please view and share our compelling and informative short video documenting our experiences in Holley, N.Y., challenging the Squirrel Slam contest as part of our continued efforts to ban animal killing contests.

2. Visit the Holley Fire Department website at www.holleyfire.com and write to them or call them at 585-638-6884 and tell them it’s not too late to organize a different fundraiser.

3. Ask your state representatives to introduce bills that would ban such events. For New York residents, contact George D. Maziarz who represents the 62nd District, which includes all of Orleans County. Email him at maziarz@nysenate.gov.

All animal killing contests should be made illegal, and as soon as possible in every state. These barbaric practices belong in a shameful past and only those who live without compassion and empathy will continue to support them. Fortunately, those unenlightened individuals are truly the last of a dying breed.

I agree with Mary E ALL KILLING OF ANIMAL CONTESTS should be Illegal and all parties involved should be made to pay a heafty fine then maybe the fire department and any other organizations won't be willing to sponsor them....I am very surprised that any fire department would agree to such a horrific act when they are called upon to rescue animals in distress.

What a horrible idea. A killing contest and involving young children. The most disturbing part is that this is a sponsored event by the fire department. A perfect example of what is so wrong in this world.